"I AM MY OWN WIFE is a must-see…”

I AM MY OWN WIFE LAUNCHES LNT’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON!

“My mother said: Lotchen it's all very well to play dress up. But now you've grown into a man.
 When will you marry?”

I said: Never my dear Mutti. I Am My Own Wife”

photos on this page courtesy of John Snell Photography

“I think she may well be the most singular, eccentric individual the Cold War ever birthed.
(And believe me, I use the term "she" loosely.)
Have I piqued your interest?”  

So begins Doug Wrights’ Tony & Pulitzer Prize Winning play – I Am My Own Wife, inspired by the life of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf.

 

We begin our 35th Anniversary Season at Montpelier City Hall with I Am My Own Wife!
Starring fan favorite Stoph Sheer as Charlotte, onstage Thursdays through Sundays, April 4th – 21st.

 
“A truly remarkable experience in the theatre, I AM MY OWN WIFE is a must-see…” 
- NY Theatre.com

Charlotte von Mahlsdorf is a real person.
She managed to survive both Nazi Germany and the East German Communist regime living openly as a trans woman.

Her story is mind-boggling, a bit mysterious, and replete with unanswered questions.

In one of their first encounters, author Doug Wright tells Charlotte:
“It seems to me, you're an impossibility. You shouldn't even exist.
I would love to write a play about you.”

And what a play he wrote!

A single actor portrays 35 characters (even the playwright) in this vivid telling of Charlotte’s story.

Based on years of interviews, it’s a Tour-de-Force - encompassing high theatricality and heartfelt, gut-wrenching emotion! 

Stoph Scheer is one of the first openly trans and non-binary people to ever puppeteer in Hollywood, and we are thrilled to have them back with us to bring this remarkable, flawed, and utterly charming woman (her friends and foes) to life on-stage! 

“How wonderful to be back home at LNT- where I first began playing characters of different genders in shows like The Mystery of Irma Vep.
It’s full circle to return now as an openly trans woman and non-binary person for I Am My Own Wife. 
At a time when the rights and lives of trans people are being needlessly politicized and threatened by extremists in our own country, it's incredibly meaningful to explore historic queer hero Charlotte von Mahlsdorf’s life story.”  – Stoph Scheer

Founding Artistic Director Kim Bent gushes:

“It’s a distinct joy to start off our 35th Anniversary Season at LNT with such an “all-star” line up of theater artists, many of whom have been key members of our widely scattered family of creatives for so many long, productive years.”  

This includes director Joanne Greenberg, designers Mark Evancho, Cora Fauser and Eric Love with William Pelton serving as Stage Manager in addition to Stoph.

Why I Am My Own Wife?

• “It’s chillingly relevant, yet the story is triumphant. It’s also a brilliant piece of theater – calling on all our skills, art and craft to mount this ridiculously entertaining yet rawly revealing story.” – Kathleen Keenan, LNT Producing Artistic Dir.

• It’s the perfect role for Stoph, who first worked with us in fifteen years ago in The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged). Playing multiple characters in the same play has always been Stoph’s specialty, and this play is the ultimate challenge for an actor in that respect. – Kim Bent, Founding Artistic Director

•  Director Joanne Greenberg offers:
  “I’m thrilled to be part of the creative team, working with LNT making magic. In I Am My Own Wife, Stoph will once again break new ground with finesse. Lucky me. Lucky us.”

The New York Times raved:
“I Am My Own Wife is the most stirring new work to appear on Broadway this fall ... moving and absorbing.”

Tickets are $10 – $30 (depending on ticket-type. Guaranteed reserved seating available for additional fee.)

Available On-Line; by Phone (Tu-Fri, 11am-3pm) or In Person at Montpelier City Clerks Office (M-F, 8:30am-4pm). 
More details here  phone: 802-229-0492.   email: info@lostnationtheater.org

Click here to see  the set installation pictures 

Lost Nation Theater: “Theater of the Decade” - Broadway World, “Best in New England”- Yankee Magazine, “One of the Best Regional Theaters in America”- NYC Drama League, is Sponsored by Flood & Recovery Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, City of Montpelier, Vermont Mutual Insurance, Montpelier Strong Recovery Fund, National Life Group, Leahy Press, Eternity, Vermont Arts Council and The World.

Join Us! April 4 ­– 21, 2024  - 7:30pm Thursdays–Saturdays; 2pm Sundays
Live In Person; and Live Streamed for ADA Access.

Masks are strongly recommended for in person attendance, but not required.
The Flood made City Hall’s elevator inoperable, requiring climbing stairs to attend in person. The event will be streamed to be accessible.

 

 photos courtesy of John Snell Photography